Furnace rebate money available

The State Bond Commission recently authorized $5 million for the rebates. The program applies to homes and apartment buildings with four units or less.

Replacement furnaces fueled by natural gas must be Energy Star-rated, while oil and propane equipment must be at least 84 percent efficient. The amount of the rebate varies depending on the homeowners' income.

"Consumers need every break as energy prices keep skyrocketing," state Rep. John Stripp, R-Redding, said. "As residents begin to think about their winter home heating budgets, this new furnace replacement rebate program promotes energy-efficiency improvements, adds value to homes, and helps conserve resources."

A toll-free hot line, (866) 940-4676, has been set up. Residents who leave their name, mailing address and phone number will be mailed program application materials within four business days.

The rebate program will be administered by the Office of Policy and Management. It was authorized by 2007 legislation. There is no final date to buy a replacement furnace, but it is not known if additional money will be authorized.

Eligible homeowners would do best to apply as soon as possible, Stripp's office said.

Significant savings can be had with newer energy-efficient heating equipment, said Kurt Gunther, owner/operator of ASI (Air Specialists Inc.) of Danbury, a heating and air conditioning business his family founded in 1940.

"What you find is that a high-efficiency hybrid gas furnace coupled with a heat pump is more efficient to run up to 35 degrees," Gunther said. "The heat pump will create heat down to temperatures of 5 degrees, but is not as efficient at that temperature."

Therefore, Gunther said, homeowners are looking at two months during the winter when the heat pump will not kick in. But the savings in using a hybrid unit instead of an oil-burning furnace are significant, he said.

Gunther estimated that with heating oil at $4.49 a gallon, a standard three-bedroom ranch home will cost $5,152 to heat with a newer model oil furnace.

With a natural gas or propane furnace, the cost can come down to $4,662, figuring propane and natural gas at $2.89 a gallon. Add a hybrid natural gas or propane system with heat pump and the cost can come down to $2,781, Gunther said.

"A natural gas or propane furnace is no more expensive to install than an oil furnace. The equipment is a little more expensive, but the savings in fuel (may be as much as) 55 percent in the first year.

"It's really beneficial," he said, "especially with the price of crude oil. People are really panicking with the prospect of spending $1,237 for oil to fill a 275-gallon tank."